Throughout the course of the tremendous history of the automobile industry, which spans some 125 years, we have seen many iterations and models come and go. The famous Ford Model T, the AMC Gremlin and the Toyota Venza are all famous examples of cars that once had a popular following, but have been cut from the assembly line. And sadly, another classic model enters the growing list: the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII.
According to a report from CNET, the English car manufacturer is set to conclude the long-running model’s 7th generation iteration. And, in typical Rolls-Royce fashion, the final model to roll out of the factory is quite a lavish one. Per the customer’s request, the car is designed to resemble an ocean liner from the 1930s. It features a powder blue interior leather and naval-themed clocks. It even mentions H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, for some reason. Under the hood, the car includes a 6.8 liter V12, good for 454 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque.
The Phantom is not only a classic vehicle that exudes style and technology, but also an extremely part of Rolls-Royce’s history. As the company’s second most popular model, the Phantom actually helped revitalize the company. It helped create a popular image for the brand name, and after its 2003 update, was able to compete with other brands in terms of engineering. Before then, the Phantom series of cars were, for the most part, an aesthetic masterpiece, with little else to brag about. However, after BMW purchased the company and invested a large amount of money into its reengineering, the Phantom was finally able to live up to its potential. It became quieter, more powerful and more technologically advanced than its counterparts.
Now, while this may sound worrying, it isn’t, in actuality. The actual Phantom namebrand is not being discontinued, just this generation’s version. The Phantom VIII will probably roll out sometime either this year or next. I’m very excited to see what the company can come up with, and if the car can live up to its predecessors.